For many of the youth who call one of the 52 neighborhoods of Cincinnati, Ohio, home, access to activities and events outside of the school year can be difficult. There is often no designated space where youth can play, learn, and grow safely, and if there is space, there is a lack of staffing and funding. Back2Back Cincinnati wanted to respond to these gaps by providing spaces that were safe and accessible to any child who wanted to attend.
This summer, Back2Back staff hosted camps in three different neighborhoods throughout the city in collaboration with several community partners. These camps provided a chance for youth to have fun, enjoy new experiences, receive access to day camps unaffiliated with schools, and provide a sense of belonging in the areas they call home.
Throughout the summer, staff strive to break down barriers for campers to build community in their own backyards. As a space is created and fostered, children find felt-safety in the environments they’re most familiar with, and it allows the community to flourish as relationships grow and groups of children experience new things together.
One of the camps hosted a group of teen boys, and in the beginning days, they were hesitant to trust, embarrassed about participation, and eager to leave every day. The staff didn’t allow this to deter them – they continued to invest in each young man, providing a safe space for play and connection, and on the final day, several of the teens showed up early. They were excited to help set things up and be in conversation with the staff.
We heal through relationships, and when consistency and safe adults meet children and teens from hard places, something shifts. We are built for connection, by a relational God, and Neighborhood Play is a true testament to how healing finds a way, even in the middle of a playground.